PLG supports Indianapolis librarians

RESOLVED, that the Progressive Librarians Guild support sister and fellow librarians in Indianapolis, Indiana in gaining union representation. Below is PLG’s position and letter of support:

Progressive Librarians Guild
Rider University Library
2083 Lawrenceville Rd.
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

August 8, 2006

Library Board
Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library
P.O. Box 211
Indianapolis, IN 46206-0211

Dear Indianapolis-Marion County Library Board:

* Library Board Member Gregory Jordan
* Library Board Member Louis Mahern
* Library Board Member Gary Meyer
* Library Board Member Peter Pizarro
* Library Board Member Mary Lou Rothe
* Library Board Member Sarah Taylor

The Progressive Librarians Guild, a national organization of public, academic, and special librarians, urges the Indianapolis-Marion County Library Board recognize the request for union representation made by its library workers. It is our understanding that a majority of these workers have expressed support for a union, and the next proper step is to verify the majority support and begin negotiations with the workers’ union.

Collective bargaining is not only a right, it is a reasonable and fair practice. Libraries work better when staff has a voice in library policies that directly affect them as employees. Library workers are marginalized enough as it is; very often union representation is the only mechanism they have to assure equitable treatment and respect on the job. Please don’t deny these workers that opportunity.

Thank you.

Progressive Librarians Guild